How to find out IMEI on a locked Xiaomi smartphone: 7 proven ways

Why IMEI is important for Xiaomi

If your Xiaomi is locked — whether due to a factory reset without leaving your Mi Account, activating the Lost Mode mode, or a hardware malfunction — the first step to unlocking begins with device identification. IMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identity) is a unique 15-digit code that not only ties the phone to mobile networks, but also serves as the key to official Xiaomi support services.

Without IMEI knowledge, you can’t:

• 📄 Contact Xiaomi Support to Unblock with Mi Account;
• 🔧 Use tools like Mi Unlock Tool or EDL Mode;
• 📡 Check the operator's lock status (if the phone is blacklisted);
• 🔄 Restore firmware via Fastboot or Recovery if device binding is required.

The problem is that on a locked phone, the standard IMEI check methods (via Settings → About Phone or Code *#06#) are not available. In this article, 7 working methods are available, including those that work even when the screen is completely broken or the firmware is damaged.

Method 1: IMEI check on the box and under the battery

The easiest and safest method is to find IMEIs on physical media, and Xiaomi manufacturers duplicate this code in several places:

1. Device box - look for a sticker with a barcode and an inscription IMEI1/IMEI2 (two-way SIM-Usually located on the end or bottom of the package.
2. Under the battery – on some models (e.g. Redmi Note 4X, Mi A1), the IMEI is put on a sticker under the removable lid. For non-shatterable smartphones (e.g. Xiaomi 13), this method is not suitable.
3. On the tray SIM-cards are rare, but on older models (until 2018) IMEI could be duplicated here.

⚠️ Warning: If the box is lost and the phone is indissoluble, do not try to open it yourself - this will void the warranty and may damage the plumes.

Method 2: Using a Mi Account (if the phone is tied)

If your Xiaomi was tied to your Mi Account before being blocked, you can find IMEI through the web version of the Mi Cloud service.This method works even if the phone is turned off or completely locked.

Instructions:

1. Go to the Mi Account website and log in.
2. In the Devices section, find a locked smartphone.
3. Click on the model – the IMEI will be indicated in the card that opens (sometimes hidden under the More button).

🔹 What to do if the device is not displayed?

• 🔄 Check if you have deleted it from your account before (in Settings) → Mi Account → Devices on another phone).
• 📡 Make sure your phone is connected to the internet at least once after linking to your account.
• 📧 Please write in support of Xiaomi and request to provide IMEI by serial number (if known).

💡

If you have multiple devices in your Mi Account, check them by the model and date of your last activity, which will help you identify the IMEI you want.

Method 3: ADB commands (for phones with debugging enabled)

If your Xiaomi before the lock was enabled debugging USB (USB Debugging, you can get it. IMEI through ADB (Android Debug Bridge. This method is suitable even for phones with a broken screen, if USB-port.

Step-by-step:

1. Download and install Platform Tools (includes adb.exe).
2. Connect your phone to your PC through USB-cable (preferably original).
3. Open the command line (Win + R → enter cmd) and do:

adb devices

If the device is determined (the serial number will appear), enter:

adb shell service call iphonesubinfo 3

In the answer, look for lines from IMEI1 and IMEI2 (two-way SIM-map).

⚠️ Attention: If debugging is on USB It wasn't enabled in advance, it won't work, and some Xiaomi firmware is blocking access to the system. IMEI through ADB security.

Method 4: Engineering menu (for phones with a working screen)

If the Xiaomi screen is working but the phone is locked with a password or a pattern lock, you can try logging into the Engineering Mode, which doesn’t require unlocking, but doesn’t work on all models.

Instructions:

1. Enter the code ##4636## or #3644633## (for new models) on the lock screen.
2. If the code works, select Information or Device Information.
3. Scroll down to the section. IMEI — Both numbers will be listed here (if two numbers are supported). SIM-map).

🔹 Limitations of method:

• 🚫 On Xiaomi MIUI 12+ Engineering menu can be blocked without entering a password.
• 🔒 Some operators (for example, MTS, Beeline) block access to the Internet IMEI through the engineering menu.
• ⚠️ On phones with damaged firmware, the menu may not open.

Method 5: Through Fastboot Mode (for phones with unlocked bootloader)

If your Xiaomi has an unlocked bootloader, you can get an IMEI through Fastboot mode.This method is suitable for phones that don't turn on or are getting stuck on the MI logo.

Step-by-step:

1. Turn off the phone (press Power + Volume up for 10 seconds).
2. Press Power + Volume Down to enter Fastboot.
3. Connect your phone to your PC and open the command line in the folder from fastboot.exe.
4. Follow the command:

fastboot getvar imei

If the bootloader is unlocked, you will see IMEI in the answer. If not, the error will appear FAILED (remote: unknown command).

⚠️ Note: On phones with locked bootloader (Redmi by default, POCO This method will not work after reset, and some Xiaomi models (such as the Mi 11 Ultra) are hidden. IMEI Fastboot for security reasons.

💡

Fastboot mode is the only way to get an IMEI on a phone with a damaged screen or “brick”, but requires the bootloader to be unlocked beforehand.

Method 6: Reading IMEI through EFS-section (advanced method)

For power users, there is a way to extract IMEI directly from the EFS partition (where communication module data is stored), which requires root rights or access to EDL Mode (Emergency Download Mode), but works even on fully locked phones.

🔧 Essential tools:

• 🖥️ PCs with Qualcomm drivers installed (for EDL);
• 📁 Programme QPST Or Mi Flash Tool;
• 🔌 Cable USB Type-C (original, undamaged).

Instructions:

1. Transfer the phone to EDL mode (usually by closing contacts on the board or via adb reboot edl command).
2. In QPST, select Software Download → Backup and save the EFS section.
3. Open the saved file in a hexadecimal editor (such as HxD) and find the IMEI string (usually at the beginning of the file).

⚠️ Attention: Incorrect actions in EDL This method is recommended only if other methods have not worked, and you have experience with firmware.

💡

Before working with EFS, make a full backup of the partition – this will help restore the IMEI if it is accidentally erased.

Method 7: Contact Xiaomi Support

If none of these methods worked, the official way to do this is to call Xiaomi for support.

• 📄 Check or warranty card (proof of purchase);
• 📦 Phone box (if any);
• 🔐 Serial number (usually on a sticker under the battery or in a Fastboot command fastboot getvar serialno).

📌 How to Contact Support:

1. The official website (Support → Contact Us)
2. By telephone hotline (for Russia: 8 800 775-66-64).
3. Through Mi Community (Xiaomi Forum), where moderators can request data from engineers.

⚠️ Note: Xiaomi support may refuse to provide IMEI, phone:

• 🚨 Blacklisted by the operator (stolen/lost);
• 🔄 It has an unofficial firmware;
• 📦 It was purchased from a non-official seller (for example, on AliExpress without warranty).

Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

When trying to find out the IMEI on a blocked Xiaomi, users often face typical problems.

🔹 Tip: If you plan to unlock through Mi Account, save it right away IMEI In a secure location (like Google Keep or on paper) this will speed up the process of access recovery.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions